Page 27: of Marine Technology Magazine (October 2012)

Ocean Observation: Gliders, buoys & sub surface monitoring networks

Platforms continue to become more compact and more sophisticated with an ever-increasing complexity of electronic systems, sensors, communications and safety equipment. More cables are therefore required to Þ t into more densely populated areas. While performance is paramount, space is always at a premium and weight is always a concern. Tradeoffs in weight mean savings in one area may allow more equipment in another area. Thus, designers and operators are always looking for ways to save space and weightÑwithout compromising mission performance or personnel safety. Cabling is sometimes overlooked as a means of saving space and weight. But as the topside becomes more automated and the number of cable runs increase, the sum of all the cables can represent signiÞ cant size and weight, providing signiÞ -cant impact on the construction and costs of the platform. Lightweight cables, such as the C-Lite cable family from Cabling Choices Save Space, Weight and Increase Safety in O shore Applications Cabling Choices Marine Technology Reporter 27www.seadiscovery.com MTR #8 (18-33).indd 27MTR #8 (18-33).indd 2710/3/2012 9:46:43 AM10/3/2012 9:46:43 AM